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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in Michigan

3 Colleges in the United States
$15,872 Avg Student Debt
$40,120 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Badge [Welding Technology/Welder](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/welding-technology-welder/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for welding technology/welder students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in Michigan

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in welding technology/welder, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Washtenaw Community College the best value for a degree in welding technology/welder in Michigan. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

A rank of #2 makes Kalamazoo Valley Community College one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $44,198. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lansing Community College earned it the #3 place for welding technology/welder. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $16,700. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Alpena Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,840, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Alpena Community College generally make around $45,132. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.

5
Delta College crest
Delta College
University Center, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Delta College earned it the #5 place for welding technology/welder. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $14,075. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $34,112. Set against $14,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College earned the #6 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $43,205. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.

7

Muskegon Community College placed #7 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muskegon. Students from in state pay about $7,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,010. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $14,928 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $48,267. Set against $14,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8
Kellogg Community College crest
Kellogg Community College
Battle Creek, MI

Kellogg Community College earned the #8 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,118, with out-of-state students paying around $8,282. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $20,432 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $32,616. That is a strong return on a $20,432 median debt.

9

Schoolcraft College landed the #9 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Students borrow a median of $15,677 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $46,283 early in their careers. Set against $15,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Macomb Community College came in at #10 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11

Wayne County Community College District ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Wayne County Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $3,112, while out-of-state students pay about $4,067. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $20,820 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $48,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Southwestern Michigan College placed #12 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dowagiac. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,417, with out-of-state students paying around $8,394. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $16,575. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $43,153. Set against $16,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Jackson Community College placed #13 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,350, with out-of-state students paying around $10,200. Students borrow a median of $16,960 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Jackson Community College generally make around $41,322. That is a strong return on a $16,960 median debt.

14

Bay De Noc Community College landed the #14 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the town of Escanaba, Bay De Noc Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214, with out-of-state students paying around $11,453. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Bay De Noc Community College generally make around $39,075. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Kirtland Community College earned the #15 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Kirtland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Grayling. Students from in state pay about $5,190 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $17,333. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Kirtland Community College earn a median of $50,469 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,333 median debt.

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Mid Michigan Community College came in at #16 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the rural area of Harrison, Mid Michigan Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,132, while out-of-state students pay about $10,864. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $18,878 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $43,078. Set against $18,878 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Grand Rapids Community College came in at #17 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $4,179, compared with $12,219 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $4,540 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $42,066 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $4,540 median debt.

18
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University earned the #18 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $19,633 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $62,832. Set against $19,633 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

19

Northern Michigan University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $22,608 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $40,508. That is a strong return on a $22,608 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

20

Miat College Of Technology placed #20 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the suburb of Canton, Miat College Of Technology is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,165. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,790 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $33,636. Set against $11,790 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 30 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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